Aggregation behavior of ionic liquids in aqueous solutions: effect of alkyl chain length, cations, and anions

Self aggregation of the ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [C4mim][Cl], 3-methyl-1-octylimidazolium chloride [C8mim][Cl], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [C4mim][BF4], N-butyl-3-methylpyridinium chloride [C4mpy][Cl], in aqueous solution has been investigated through 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. Aggregation properties were determined by application of mass action theory to the concentration dependence of 1H NMR chemical shifts. Aggregation properties showed fairly good agreement with the previously reported results obtained from small angle neutron scattering, conductivity, and surface tension measurements. A detailed analysis of chemical shifts of water and various protons in ILs has been employed to probe the aggregate structure. Fluorescence spectroscopy provided important information about the critical aggregation concentration (cac) and the microenvironment of the aggregates. We could also observe a break point quite consistent with that of 1H NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy at cac from the concentration dependence of refractive index measurements. Standard free energies of aggregation DeltaGom of various ILs derived using the refractive index/concentration profiles were found comparable to those of classical ionic surfactants.     

Estimation of physicochemical properties of ionic liquids 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloroaluminate

The density and surface tension of ionic liquids [C(2)mim][AlCl(4)] (1-ethlyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloroaluminate) and [C(6)mim][AlCl(4)] (1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloroaluminate) were measured in the temperature range from 283.15 to 338.15 +/- 0.05 K. In terms of these experimental results, the estimation of physicochemical properties of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloroaluminate ([C(n)mim][AlCl(4)], n = 1-6) was carried out. With the use of the parachor, the values of surface tension of the ILs were predicted. In terms of Glasser's theory, the standard molar entropy, lattice energy, and surface properties of the ILs were estimated. With the use of Kabo's method and Rebelo's method, the molar enthalpy of vaporization of the ILs, Delta(l)(g)H(m)(0), was predicted. According to the interstice model, the values of the thermal expansion coefficient of the ILs were also estimated. Since the magnitude order of the thermal expansion coefficient estimated by the model is in good agreement with that measured experimentally, this result means that the interstice model is reasonable.     

Thermodynamic characterization of the biocompatible ionic liquid effects on protein model compounds and their functional groups

The stability of proteins under co-solvent conditions is dependant on the nature of the co-solvent; the co-solvent can alter a protein's properties and structural effects through bimolecular interactions between its functional groups and co-solvent particles. Ionic liquids (ILs) represent a rather diverse class of co-solvents that are combinations of different ions, which are liquids at or close to room temperature. To quantify the bimolecular interactions of protein functional groups with biocompatible ILs, we report the systematic and quantitative apparent transfer free energies (ΔG'(tr)) of a homologous series of cyclic dipeptides (CDs) from water to aqueous solutions of ILs through solubility measurements, as a function of IL concentration at 25 °C under atmospheric pressure. The materials investigated in the present work included the CDs of cyclo(Gly-Gly), cyclo(Ala-Gly), cyclo(Ala-Ala), cyclo(Leu-Ala), and cyclo(Val-Val). The ILs used such as diethylammonium acetate ([Et(2)NH][CH(3)COO], DEAA), triethylammonium acetate ([Et(3)NH][CH(3)COO], TEAA), diethylammonium dihydogen phosphate ([Et(3)NH][H(2)PO(4)], DEAP), triethylammonium dihydogen phosphate ([Et(3)NH][H(2)PO(4)], TEAP), diethylammonium sulfate ([Et(3)NH][HSO(4)], DEAS) and triethylammonium sulfate ([Et(3)NH][HSO(4)], TEAS). We observed positive values of ΔG'(tr) for CDs from water to ILs, indicating that interactions between ILs and CDs are unfavourable, which leads to stabilization of the native structure of CDs. The experimental results were further used for estimating the transfer free energies (Δg'(tr)) of the peptide bond (-CONH-), the peptide backbone unit (-CH(2)C=ONH-), and various functional groups from water to IL solutions. Our results explicitly elucidate that a series of all ammonium ILs act as stabilizers for tested model compounds through the exclusion of ILs from CDs surface.     

Aggregation of ionic liquids [C(n)mim]Br (n = 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) in D2O: a NMR study

Aqueous solutions of five ionic liquids (ILs) of the 1-n-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide family, [C(n)mim]Br (n = 4, 6, 8, 10, 12), were investigated by NMR measurements at 298.2 K as a function of IL concentrations. Critical aggregation concentrations and aggregation numbers of these ILs were determined by 1H NMR except for [C4mim]Br in D2O. The effects of the alkyl chain length of the cations were examined on the aggregation behavior of the ILs. 1H NMR data of the solvent D2O were used to investigate the hydration of the ILs in D2O, and it was found that the ionic hydration and the cation-anion association or aggregation of the ILs offset each other. The microenvironment of different protons of cations of the ILs in the aggregates was probed by determining the spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/T1). It is suggested that the imidazolium rings in the aggregates are exposed to water and that the molecular motion of the aggregates is more restricted than that of the monomers of the ILs. Furthermore, a stair-like microscopic aggregation structure is suggested for the [C(n)mim]Br/D2O (n = 6, 8, 10) systems from 2-D 1H-1H NOESY measurements.     

Solvation of carbohydrates in n,n'-dialkylimidazolium ionic liquids: a multinuclear NMR spectroscopy study

The solvation of carbohydrates in N, N'-dialkylimidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) was investigated by means of 13C and 35/37Cl NMR relaxation and 1H pulsed field gradient stimulated echo (PFG-STE) diffusion measurements. Solutions of model sugars in 1- n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C4mim]Cl), 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([CC2mim]Cl), and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2mim][OAc]) were studied to evaluate the effects of cation and anion structure on the solvation mechanism. In all cases, the changes in the relaxation times of carbon nuclei of the IL cations as a function of carbohydrate concentration are small and consistent with the variation in solution viscosities. Conversely, the 35/37Cl and 13C relaxation rates of chloride ions and acetate ion carbons, respectively, have a strong dependency on sugar content. For [C2mim][OAc], the correlation times estimated from 13C relaxation data for both ions reveal that, as the carbohydrate concentration increases, the reorientation rate of the anion decreases faster than that of the cation. Although not as marked as the variations observed in the relaxation data, similar trends were obtained from the analysis of cation and, in the case of [C2mim][OAc], anion self-diffusion coefficients of the sugar/IL systems. Our results show that the interactions between the IL cation and the solutes are nonspecific, confirm that the process is governed by the interactions between the IL anion and the carbohydrate, and, more importantly, indicate no change in the solvation mechanism regardless of the structure of the anion.     

Lower critical solution temperature behavior of linear polymers in ionic liquids and the corresponding volume phase transition of polymer gels

Poly(benzyl methacrylate) (PBzMA) and its copolymers exhibit lower critical solution temperature (LCST)-type phase separation in common hydrophobic ionic liquids (ILs) such as 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane sulfone)imide ([C(2)mim][NTf2]). The turbidity measurements for PBzMA/IL mixed systems reveal that the LCST-type phase separation temperatures change significantly with the changes in the chemical structures of polymers and ILs. Moreover, cross-linked PBzMA gels show reversible and discontinuous volume phase transition in [C(2)mim][NTf2] with the changes in temperature.     

Study of the Alkyl Chain Length on Laccase Stability and Enzymatic Kinetic with Imidazolium Ionic Liquids

The activity and stability of laccase and their kinetic mechanisms in water soluble ionic liquids (ILs): 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride [C₄mim][Cl], 1-octyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride [C₈mim][Cl], and 1-decyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride [C₁₀mim][Cl] were investigated. The results show that an IL concentration up to 10% is satisfactory for initial laccase activity at pH 9.0. The laccase stability was well maintained in [C₄mim][Cl] IL when compared to the control. The inactivation of laccase increases with the length of the alkyl chain in the IL: [C₁₀mim][Cl] > [C₈mim][Cl] > [C₄mim][Cl]. The kinetic studies in the presence of ABTS as substrate allowed calculating the Michaelis–Menten parameters. Among the ILs, [C₄mim][Cl] was the suitable choice attending to laccase activity and stability. Alkyl chains in the ions of ILs have a deactivating effect on laccase, which increases strongly with the length of the alkyl chain.     

Colloidal stability of bare and polymer-grafted silica nanoparticles in ionic liquids

The colloidal stability of bare and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-grafted silica nanoparticles was studied in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ([C(n)mim])-based ionic liquids (ILs) with different anionic structures. The theoretical estimation of the colloidal interaction between monodispersed bare silica particles by using the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theory indicates that bare silica particles cannot be stabilized and they rapidly form aggregates in all the ILs used in this study. The instability of bare silica particles was experimentally confirmed by dynamic light scattering measurement and in situ transmission electron microscopy observations by utilizing the negligible vapor pressure of ILs. This evidence suggests that electrostatic stabilization is inefficient in ILs because of the high ionic atmosphere and the resulting surface-charge screening. The PMMA-grafted silica particles exhibited long-term colloidal stability in [C(4)mim][PF(6)] and [C(n)mim][NTf(2)], which are compatible with the grafted PMMA. On the other hand, the PMMA-grafted particles could not be stabilized in [C 4mim][BF 4] due to the poor solubility of the grafted PMMA in the IL. Effective steric stabilization is important for obtaining stable colloidal particles in ILs.     

Ionic liquids enhanced oil recovery from oily sludge-experiment and mechanism

The oily sludge would cause environment pollution, and would cause the heavy oil waste. Therefore, it was vital for us to find novel methods to obtain heavy oil from the oily sludges. In this study, the [C₁₂mim][PF₆] and [C₁₂mim][Br] ionic liquids(ILs) were used to enhance the oil recovery. The toluene could obtain the highest oil recovery, and both the two ILs could increase the oil recovery. Toluene could obtain the highest oil recovery (89.4 wt%), and n-octane could obtain the lowest oil recovery (76.8 wt%). [C₁₂mim] [PF₆] could efficiently increase the heavy oil recovery to 91.2 wt%(by toluene). The [C₁₂mim][Br] could increase the heavy oil recovery further. Both the [C₁₂mim] [PF₆] and the [C₁₂mim][Br] ionic liquids could increase the heavy ois C/H ratio, decrease heavy oil viscosity and increase the sands hydrophilicity. The [C₁₂mim][Br] ionic liquids showed better effect. In addition, the ionic liquids could increase the solvents recovery, and the ionic liquids recovery were high. Therefore, the ionic liquids enhanced oil recovery could be recycled to ten times. The two ionic liquids could effectively decrease the heavy oil interaction force, and when the ionic liquids increased to 200 ppm, the force remained stable. In the end, the ionic liquids enhancing solvent extraction mechanism was put forward.     

Extraction and high performance liquid chromatographic determination of 3-indole butyric acid in pea plants by using imidazolium-based ionic liquids as extractant

In this paper, imidazolium-based ionic liquids [C₄mim][PF₆], [C₆mim][PF₆], [C₈mim][PF₆], [C₆mim][BF₄] and [C₈mim][BF₄] were tested as extracting solvents for removal of 3-indole butyric acid (IBA) from aqueous media with subsequent determination using HPLC. Percent extraction of IBA was strongly affected by pH of aqueous phases and the chemical structures of ionic liquids (ILs). Extraction of IBA was quantitative in the pH values lower than pK_a of IBA. Considering both extraction and stripping efficiencies of IBA, [C₄mim][PF₆] was found to act more efficient than other studied ILs. Capacity of [C₄mim][PF₆] was 17.6 × 10⁻⁴ mmol IBA per 1.0 mL of IL. Ionic strength of aqueous phase and temperature had shown no serious effects on extraction efficiency of IBA. A preconcentration factor of 100 and a relative standard deviation of 1.16% were obtained. It was found that ionic liquid phase was reusable almost five times for extraction/stripping purposes. 3-Indole acetic acid showed interferential effect in the extraction step. In order to assess the applicability of the method, extraction and stripping of IBA from pea plants and some other samples were studied.     

Ionic Association of the Ionic Liquids [C4mim][BF4], [C4mim][PF6], and [Cnmim]Br in Molecular Solvents

Considering the ionic nature of ionic liquids (ILs), ionic association is expected to be essential in solutions of ILs and to have an important influence on their applications. Although numerous studies have been reported for the ionic association behavior of ILs in solution, quantitative results are quite scarce. Herein, the conductivities of the ILs [C_nmim]Br (n=4, 6, 8, 10, 12), [C₄mim][BF₄], and [C₄mim][PF₆] in various molecular solvents (water, methanol, 1‐propanol, 1‐pentanol, acetonitrile, and acetone) are determined at 298.15 K as a function of IL concentration. The conductance data are analyzed by the Lee–Wheaton conductivity equation in terms of the ionic association constant (K_A) and the limiting molar conductance (Λ_m⁰). Combined with the values for the Br^? anion reported in the literature, the limiting molar conductivities and the transference numbers of the cations and [BF₄]^? and [PF₆]^? anions are calculated in the molecular solvents. It is shown that the alkyl chain length of the cations and type of anion affect the ionic association constants and limiting molar conductivities of the ILs. For a given anion (Br^?), the Λ_m⁰ values decrease with increasing alkyl chain length of the cations in all the molecular solvents, whereas the K_A values of the ILs decrease in organic solvents but increase in water as the alkyl chain length of the cations increases. For the [C₄mim]⁺ cation, the limiting molar conductivities of the ILs decrease in the order Br^?>[BF₄]^?>[PF₆]^?, and their ionic association constants follow the order [BF₄]^?>[PF₆]^?>Br^? in water, acetone, and acetonitrile. Furthermore, and similar to the classical electrolytes, a linear relationship is observed between ln K_A of the ILs and the reciprocal of the dielectric constants of the molecular solvents. The ILs are solvated to a different extent by the molecular solvents, and ionic association is affected significantly by ionic solvation. This information is expected to be useful for the modulation of the IL conductance by the alkyl chain length of the cations, type of anion, and physical properties of the molecular solvents.     

Ideal gas solubilities and solubility selectivities in a binary mixture of room-temperature ionic liquids

This study focuses on the solubility behaviors of CO2, CH4, and N2 gases in binary mixtures of imidazolium-based room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) using 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C2mim][Tf2N]) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C2mim][BF4]) at 40 degrees C and low pressures (approximately 1 atm). The mixtures tested were 0, 25, 50, 75, 90, 95, and 100 mol % [C2mim][BF4] in [C2mim][Tf2N]. Results show that regular solution theory (RST) can be used to describe the gas solubility and selectivity behaviors in RTIL mixtures using an average mixture solubility parameter or an average measured mixture molar volume. Interestingly, the solubility selectivity, defined as the ratio of gas mole fractions in the RTIL mixture, of CO2 with N2 or CH4 in pure [C2mim][BF4] can be enhanced by adding 5 mol % [C2mim][Tf2N].     

咪唑基离子液体的物理化学性质估算及预测(英文)

根据经验和半经验方程及空隙模型理论,可以估算及预测离子液体在298.15K的物理化学性质.本文讨论了离子液体的分子体积,密度,标准熵,晶格能,表面张力,等张比容,摩尔蒸发焓,空隙体积,空隙率和热膨胀系数.通过实验测得的三种离子液体1-乙基-3-甲基咪唑硫酸乙酯([C2mim][EtSO4)]),1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑硫酸辛酯([C4mim][OcSO4])和1-乙基-3-甲基咪唑双三氟甲磺酰亚胺盐([C2mim][NTf2])的密度和表面张力估算了它们的其它物理化学性质.由这三种离子液体的分子体积及等张比容预测了同系列中其它离子液体[Cnmim][EtSO4],[Cnmim][OcSO4]和[Cnmim][NTf2](n=1-6)的分子体积及等张比容,由此计算出它们的密度及表面张力.进而预测了它们的物理化学性质.将预测的离子液体[C4mim][NTf2]和[C2mim][OcSO4]的密度值与文献报导的实验值进行比较,其偏差在实验误差范围内.最后,将由Kabo经验方程计算的七个离子液体[C2mim][EtSO4]、[C4mim][OcSO4]、[C2mim][NTf2]、[C4mim][NTf2]、丁基三甲基铵双三氟甲磺酰亚胺盐([N4111][NTf2])、甲基三辛基铵双三氟甲磺酰亚胺盐([N8881][NTf2])和1-辛基-3-甲基吡啶四氟硼酸盐([m3opy][BF4])的摩尔蒸发焓与由Verevkin简单规则预测的摩尔蒸发焓进行比较,发现两者符合很好.因此,在缺乏密度和表面张力实验数据的情况下,可以用Verevkin简单规则来预测离子液体的摩尔蒸发焓.     

Ionic liquids as porogens in the microwave-assisted synthesis of methacrylate monoliths for chromatographic application

Several imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) with varying cation alkyl chain length (C₄–C₁₀) and anion type (tetrafluoroborate ([BF₄]⁻), hexafluorophosphate ([PF₆]⁻) and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Tf₂N]⁻)) were used as reaction media in the microwave polymerization of methacrylate-based stationary phases. Scanning electron micrographs and backpressures of poly(butyl methacrylate-ethylene dimethacrylate) (poly(BMA-EDMA)) monoliths synthesized in the presence of these ionic liquids demonstrated that porosity and permeability decreased when cation alkyl chain length and anion hydrophobicity were increased. Performance of these monoliths was assessed for their ability to separate parabens by capillary electrochromatography (CEC). Intra-batch precision (n = 3 columns) for retention time and peak area ranged was 0.80–1.13% and 3.71–4.58%, respectively. In addition, a good repeatability of RSD_{Retention time} = <0.30% and ∼1.0%, RSD_{Peak area} = <1.30% and <4.3%, and RSD_Efficiency = <0.6% and <11.5% for intra-day and inter-day, respectively exemplify monolith performance reliability for poly(BMA-EDMA) fabricated using 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C₆mim][BF₄]) porogen. This monolith was also tested for its potential in nanoLC to separate protein digests in gradient mode. ILs as porogens also fabricated different alkyl methacrylate (AMA) (C4–C18) monoliths. Furthermore, employing binary IL porogen mixture such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C₄mim][BF₄]) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C₄mim][Tf₂N]) successfully decreased the denseness of the monolith, than when using [C₄mim][Tf₂N] IL alone, enabling a chromatographic run to be performed with 1:1 ratio produced baseline separation for the analytes. The combination of ILs and microwave irradiation made polymer synthesis very fast (∼10 min), entirely green (organic solvent-free) and energy saving process.     

过渡金属离子液体[C2mim][FeCl4]的溶解热

在干燥氩气氛下, 用等摩尔的高纯无水FeCl3和氯化1-甲基-3-乙基咪唑([C2mim][Cl])直接搅拌混合, 制备棕色透明的含过渡金属铁的离子液体[C2mim][FeCl4]. 在298.15 K下, 利用具有恒温环境的溶解反应热量计测定了这种离子液体的摩尔溶解焓(ΔsHm). 针对[C2mim][FeCl4]溶解于水后即分解的特点, 在Pitzer电解质溶液理论基础上, 提出了确定这种离子液体标准摩尔溶解焓的新方法, 得到了[C2mim][FeCl4]的标准摩尔溶解焓(ΔsH 0—m=-76.6 kJ/mol), 以及Pitzer焓参数组合: β(0)LFe,Cl+β(0)L[C2mim], Cl+ΦLFe,[C2mim]=0.072209和β(1)LFe,Cl+β(1)L[C2mim], Cl=0.15527. 借助热力学循环和Glasser离子液体晶格能理论, 用Fe3+, Cl-和[C2mim]+的离子水化焓数据以及[C2mim][FeCl4]标准摩尔溶解焓, 估算得到了配离子[FeCl4]-(g)解离成Fe3+(g)和4Cl-(g)的解离焓为5659 kJ/mol. 这个结果揭示了离子液体[C2mim][FeCl4]的标准摩尔溶解焓绝对值并不很大的原因, 即很大的离子水化焓被很大的[FeCl4]-(g)的解离焓相互抵消.     

Prediction of the thermodynamic properties of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium lactate ionic liquids [C n mim][Lact] (n = 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) by parachor

An ionic liquid (IL) based on lactate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium lactate ([C₄mim][Lact]), has been prepared and characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Since the IL can form strong hydrogen bonds with water, trace water is a problematic impurity in the IL. Using the standard addition method (SAM), the density, refractive index and surface tension of [C₄mim][Lact] were measured in the temperature range (308.15 to 343.15 ± 0.05) K. On the basis of the experimental data, the parachor and molar volume for [C₄mim][Lact], and the molecular volume V _m, surface tension γ, molar enthalpy of vaporization Δ_l ^g H _m ⁰, refractive index n _D, and the thermal expansion coefficients α, for the homologues [C _n mim][Lact] (n = 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) were estimated using semi-empirical methods. The estimated values are in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Conductivities, volumes, fluorescence, and aggregation behavior of ionic liquids [C4mim][BF4] and [C(n)mim]Br (n = 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) in aqueous solutions

Densities, conductivities, and polarity indexes of pyrene for aqueous solutions of a series of ionic liquids [C(n)mim]Br (n = 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) and [C4mim][BF4] have been determined at 298.15 K as a function of ionic liquid concentrations. It was shown that possible aggregation appeared for the ionic liquids in aqueous solutions except for [C4mim]Br. The critical aggregation concentration (CAC) of the ionic liquids, the ionization degree of aggregates (beta), the standard Gibbs energy of aggregation (Delta G(m)(o)), the limiting molar conductivity (Lambda(m)(o)), and the standard partial molar volume (V(m)(o)) for the ionic liquids were derived from the experimental data. The dependence of the CAC, Delta G(m)(o), Lambda(m)(o), and V(m)(o) on the length of the alkyl chain of the cations was examined. It was further suggested from volumetric data that a micelle was formed for [C8mim]Br, [C10mim]Br, and [C12mim]Br in aqueous solutions. Their apparent molar volumes at the critical micelle concentration (V Phi,CMC), apparent molar volumes in the micelle phase (V(Phi)(mic)), and the change of their apparent molar volume upon micellization (Delta V Phi,m) were calculated by application of the pseudophase model of micellization. In addition, the average aggregation number of [C(n)mim]Br (n = 8, 10, 12) has been determined by the steady-state fluorescence quenching technique, and predicted from a simple geometrical mode. It is found that the experimental values are in good agreement with the predicted ones.     

Investigation of the Role of Ionic Liquids in Tuning the p<Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis><Subscript>a</Subscript> Values of Some Anionic Indicators

The effect of imidazolium-based ionic liquids, ([C₁₂mim][Cl] and [C₈mim][Cl]), on the acid-base equilibria of two sulfonated indicators has been studied. The presence of ILs leads to decreased pK _a values because of the stronger electrostatic interaction of cationic ILs with the basic forms of the indicators with more negative charge. The longer alkyl side chain of [C₁₂mim][Cl] compared to [C₈mim][Cl] results in stronger hydrophobic interaction of this IL with the basic forms of the dyes leading to a more effective decrease in the pK _a values. Also, the transition points and transition intervals of the acid-base titration curves of the indicators were affected by the presence of ILs. It was found that the IL interaction with acid-base indicators also results in sharpening the acid-base titration curves of the indicators. From these observations, it is concluded that the presence of ILs can tune the pK _a values of indicators. All the experiments were performed spectrophotometrically and the results were obtained using curve fitting methods.     

Calorimetric Study on the Ion Pairing and Aggregation of 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([C2mim][NTf2]) and Related Ionic Liquids in the Low-Dielectric Constant Solvent Chloroform

A calorimetric study of dissolution of the ionic liquids (ILs) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([C₂mim][NTf₂]), 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([C₆mim][NTf₂]), and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methide ([C₆mim][CTf₃]) into chloroform (CHCl₃) is presented with particular focus on [C₂mim][NTf₂]. The interpretation of the calorimetric data for [C₂mim][NTf₂] was aided by additional NMR self-diffusion measurements and viscosity measurements that through the Stokes–Einstein equation provided information about the average size of the species present. It is evident that the main equilibrium species are ion pairs and aggregates. An estimate for the enthalpy contribution from aggregate formation for [C₂mim][NTf₂] was found to be ?2.09 kJ per mol of added IL at 288.2 K and slightly decreasing in magnitude to ?1.11 kJ·mol^?1 at 318.2 K. While all three ILs release heat upon dissolution into CHCl₃, different temperature trends are observed demonstrating the fine balance of competing contributions from breaking IL interactions, cavity formation for the solutes to reside in, and the establishment of new solute–solvent interactions.     

Temperature dependence of the microstructure of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate in aqueous solution

Many applications of ionic liquids (ILs) are closely related with their microstructure in mixtures. For example, morphology and pore size of the MCM-41 prepared in aqueous ILs are greatly dependent on the aggregation behavior of the ILs in water. Therefore, the study on the microstructure of ILs in aqueous solutions is of great importance. In this work, ¹H NMR, dynamic light scattering and attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy have been used to investigate the temperature effect on the structures of aqueous 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C₄mim][BF₄]) solutions. It was shown that the size of the IL aggregates becomes larger with decreasing temperature. When the system temperature is below the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) of the binary mixture at about 4 °C, the aggregate size of the IL is larger than 1000 nm. Additionally, the two-dimensional IR results reveal that at low IL concentrations, H₂O can interact with [BF₄]⁻ prior to the CH groups of the imidazolium ring, whereas cation and anion of the IL tend to form aggregate at high IL concentrations. With the decrease of temperature, the interactions between cation and anion of the IL become stronger, but those between the IL and water become weaker, thereby resulting in the growth of the aggregate of cation with anion of the IL. This result may give a reasonable explanation for the origin of the UCST behavior of aqueous [C₄mim][BF₄] solution.